UF softball splits twin bill with Gamecocks

Published: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 12:08 a.m.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — No. 2 Florida split a Saturday softball doubleheader with South Carolina, winning the first game 3-2 in eight innings before losing the nightcap 2-1.

The Gators improved to 49-7 on the season and 18-6 in SEC play, having captured series wins in all eight league sets. Florida will await results of this weekend's remaining league games to determine the SEC regular-season champion, along with seeding for the SEC Tournament in Lexington, Ky., May 8-11.

UF's 49 victories pace the nation and the Gators are just a win away from their fifth 50-win season in program history.

Junior ace Hannah Rogers earned both decisions in the circle Saturday for UF, moving to 28-5 on the season. The Gators were led by sophomore Lauren Haeger and Kirsti Merritt through the three-game series with the Gamecocks, as both batted .400 (4-for-10). Florida put up eight extra-base hits on the weekend, seven doubles and a blast from Merritt on Saturday.

Merritt's two-out solo shot in the top of the eighth proved to be the game-winner for the Gators in game one.

NEXT UP: The Gators will head to Lexington, Ky., for the 2013 SEC Tournament May 8-11, hosted this year by Kentucky. The complete 2013 SEC Tournament will once again air on ESPNU, with the Championship Game slated to be broadcast on ESPN2. Florida has three SEC Championships (1998, 2008 and 2009), has won the SEC Eastern Division five times (1998, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011) and has been a top-five national seed in the NCAA Tournament the past five years.

<p>COLUMBIA, S.C. — No. 2 Florida split a Saturday softball doubleheader with South Carolina, winning the first game 3-2 in eight innings before losing the nightcap 2-1.</p><p>The Gators improved to 49-7 on the season and 18-6 in SEC play, having captured series wins in all eight league sets. Florida will await results of this weekend's remaining league games to determine the SEC regular-season champion, along with seeding for the SEC Tournament in Lexington, Ky., May 8-11.</p><p>UF's 49 victories pace the nation and the Gators are just a win away from their fifth 50-win season in program history.</p><p>Junior ace Hannah Rogers earned both decisions in the circle Saturday for UF, moving to 28-5 on the season. The Gators were led by sophomore Lauren Haeger and Kirsti Merritt through the three-game series with the Gamecocks, as both batted .400 (4-for-10). Florida put up eight extra-base hits on the weekend, seven doubles and a blast from Merritt on Saturday.</p><p>Merritt's two-out solo shot in the top of the eighth proved to be the game-winner for the Gators in game one.</p><p><b>NEXT UP:</b> The Gators will head to Lexington, Ky., for the 2013 SEC Tournament May 8-11, hosted this year by Kentucky. The complete 2013 SEC Tournament will once again air on ESPNU, with the Championship Game slated to be broadcast on ESPN2. Florida has three SEC Championships (1998, 2008 and 2009), has won the SEC Eastern Division five times (1998, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011) and has been a top-five national seed in the NCAA Tournament the past five years.</p>